It will be more beneficial if employers and workers enhance their knowledge about the workers’ compensation system. With more knowledge, labor and management can collaborate smoothly to guarantee that injured workers receive their rightful benefits.
It’s also more advantageous if common misunderstandings about the Worker’s Compensation Act’s provisions and the compensation itself are properly threshed out.
Some Myths About Worker’s Compensation
Myth 1. Worker’s Compensation Will Cover ‘Pain And Suffering’
Fact: Worker’s compensation does not cover pain and suffering in most jurisdictions.
Workers’ compensation provides payouts for work-related injuries and illnesses. Medical, salary, and vocational rehabilitation benefits are typical.
Non-economic costs like pain and suffering are not related to the loss of income opportunity or money losses. Employees may need to consult workers’ compensation lawyers like those found at The Hawk Firm. Their worker’s compensation and personal injury attorney can walk them through their rights and claims’ legal processes.
The employees will be made to understand that pain and suffering claims are under tort law, not with the worker’s compensation benefits. So their attorney may represent and help them if they want to sue their company or a third party for their pain and suffering claims.
Myth 2. Workers’ Compensation Only Covers Workplace Accidents.
Fact: Workers’ compensation may be claimed even if your accident happened outside company premises.
The law requires that the injury or illness is connected to and caused by the employee’s work activities. The accident may have happened outside the workplace. Still, the worker can claim compensation under the worker’s compensation law. Provided the employee was performing work-related activities when the injury or illness was suffered, even outside of their workplace.
These issues can be addressed better if you consult with your attorney. Your attorney can help you understand your rights and eligibility to claim full compensation for your work-related injuries.
Myth 3. Workers’ Compensation Claims Sue Employers
Fact: Employees who file compensation benefits did not sue their employers.
Worker’s compensation is one of those laws with the “no-fault” provision. It means the claims or benefits do not require that there be a party at fault. All it requires is that employees suffer injuries or illnesses while performing their work, whether at their workplace or not.
The employee, therefore, is not suing but claiming compensation for lost income due to their injury or illness.
Myth 4 Worker’s Compensation Is Only For Medical Expenses
Fact: Worker’s compensation is not only for medical expenses.
The benefits provided under workers’ compensation can also be used to replace lost wages. The compensation benefits will provide for wages lost from the day the employee fails to report for work due to work-related sickness or injury. The cost of rehabilitation services and other expenses directly related to the injury or illness are also compensable under the Act.
Rehabilitation services under the Act refer to the physical, medical, or other intervention the employee may need to help recover.
Myth 5. Worker’s Compensation Is The Same With Disability Income Insurance
Fact: Worker’s compensation is not the same as disability income insurance.
For one, worker’s compensation insurance is a mandate by the government that requires employers to insure their employees under the worker’s compensation act. Disability Income Insurance, on the other hand, is bought by the employee and paid for the premiums themselves.
Worker’s compensation provides benefits for loss of opportunity for gainful work, whether the inability to return to work is temporary or permanent. The disability income insurance may only be availed by the employee upon claims of disability under the terms of their insurance contract.
The Bottom Line
Worker’s Compensation is a benefit that the government ensures for the employee. The heart of the benefit is to provide support and sustenance for an employee injured while on the job. It’s a system that provides welfare to the labor sector.
The myths enumerated in this content are just a few of those misconceptions spread around due to a lack of information and a better understanding of the workers’ compensation concept.
For more insights, browse through the links in this content for more helpful tips and reminders.
For more insights, please feel free to browse through the links in this content for more helpful tips and reminders.
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